A Taste of Home: Wheeler County cookbook looking for more than recipes

Sarah Waters was inside the Spray Museum last year when she stumbled on a cookbook that was put together in the 1980s. Inside were recipes and stories of people from the Spray area, many of whom had long since passed away.

While flipping through the pages, Sarah recalled her own childhood experiences, and how recipes could tell a story of family and community bonds.

So began the quest for Waters to create a Wheeler County Heritage Cookbook.

Sarah Waters moved to Spray in December of 2021 and purchased the old Spray Garage. The abandoned building was in need of some serious TLC and Sarah dove into the project head first.

While doing renovations, Sarah has also become the de facto food spot for community potlucks and food events. Sarah has hosted several potlucks (with one scheduled for this weekend) and has also hosted food trucks and vendors during events and concerts at the Spray General Store.

Food and community are central to the vision that Sarah has for the Spray Garage.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Sarah says that she grew up in a home that was centered around family meals.

She remembers her brothers rough housing near the kitchen, causing her mother to panic that her souffle would fall.

Sarah's mother passed away when she was very young, and the memories of her mom in the kitchen, along with her handwritten recipe book, are precious to her.

"I've always loved the idea of nostalgia and heritage" Waters says. "I grew up with parents that were a lot older than me – and mealtimes were the center of everything."

Recipes, Waters says, are not only instructions for cooking, but also a glimpse into family life and the people who shaped us.

"My hope," Waters says, "is that people will not only share their recipes, but also their stories."

What makes a dish memorable? This might sound like a rhetorical question. But it's not just the ingredients, spices or flavor. It's who was preparing the meal, a funny event that made it memorable, and why it is cherished.

With a grant from the Wheeler County Cultural and Heritage Coalition, Sarah is planning to print 100 books and to give all proceeds to the Spray and Fossil museums.

Waters says that she has only received a handful of recipes so far, but she has been in contact with several people who are planning to share their recipes.

And while the subject of sharing family recipes might sound taboo, it is also a way to preserve the memory and legacy of loved ones.

Sarah Waters is asking for recipes, their backstories, and photos of family members cooking or enjoying food to be submitted as soon as possible. Sarah had set a target date of June 15 but says that they can get into the book and printed if they're submitted by mid-July.

To submit your recipes, or to contact Sarah Waters with questions, you can email her at spraygarageoregon@gmail.com.